The quick thinking of two Metro bus operators might have saved the lives of two children in separate incidents less than a week apart in late February and early March.

Operators Ella Holloway and Dianne Wyly drive different Metro bus routes in different communities, but they both had similar experiences when they saw very young children walking alone near busy streets. They both jumped into action to keep the little ones from harm:

• Feb. 28: Operator Holloway was driving toward downtown on Route. 33 on Glenway Avenue near Olivia Lane when she noticed a 2- or 3-year-old boy walking alone on the sidewalk. The child wasn’t wearing a coat, just shorts and shoes in freezing, windy weather. She stopped the bus, brought the child on board, and called for assistance. The Cincinnati Police Department responded and took the boy to the Cincinnati Fire Department on Glenway. Holloway, a Metro bus operator for 22 years, lives in Mt. Airy.

• March 6: Operator Wyly was driving toward downtown on Route. 43 when she saw a 3-year-old little boy walking alone on Reading Road near Asmann Avenue. It was a snowy, icy day and his shoes were on backwards and coat barely on. She brought the child onto her bus and called for assistance; Cincinnati Police took the child to a safe location. Wyly, a Metro bus operator for 18 years, lives in Roselawn.

“Metro bus operators are eyes on the community,” said Metro’s CEO Terry Garcia Crews. “Operators Holloway and Wyly demonstrated outstanding sensitivity and judgment; their actions helped prevent these children from being injured. They are heroes for keeping the children safe, and their actions deserve commendation.”

Holloway and Wyly will be presented with the CEO’s STAR Award at the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority Board meeting at 9 a.m. March 19, at the SORTA Board meeting.

The STAR Award for “Service That Attracts Recognition” is a selective award is presented by, and at the sole discretion of, Metro’s CEO. The award acknowledges and rewards employees who demonstrate exemplary service to Metro and the community.